20 Aug 2016

Ko makes solid start in bid for gold

3:02 pm on 20 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - New Zealand's World No.1 golfer Lydia Ko has made a solid start in her bid for Olympic gold.

Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko Photo: Photosport

She's in a tie for 11th, four shots off the lead, following her opening round in Rio.

Ko recorded a late eagle to card a two under par 69.

Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn leads on six under.

Ko said it was a tough first round but she's happy with the score she posted.

"I didn't start off very well, I pretty much scrambled on the first two holes and came off with two pars. Made a careless bogey on three. Hit it on the worst place on four. So I am happy I ended up on two-under par. I tried to enjoy it, this feeling is never going to come back again."

Ko holed her second shot at the par-four 15th to shoot an eagle.

"Seeing the men's last week, I think there were two holes-in-one and a couple of eagles, so to put my contribution to (Olympic) golf, making an eagle is a really good feeling.

"Hit a 9-iron, it was 136, the wind was helping a little."

Golf has returned to the Olympics after a more than century long absence and multiple major winner Ko said it's a special feeling to be an Olympian.

"Walking up to the first tee I was fine and then when you are officially being announced and all those millions or thousands of people watching us tee-off worldwide is a very cool feeling. The 'firsts' in anything is very memorable and goes with you forever - once an Olympian that goes with you, no matter if you retire."

-RNZ